How caregivers' voices affect infants' attention and development
Official title: How infant-directed speech organizes the attentional state of infants
Funded at University of Houston · NIH-10912077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the sounds caregivers make can affect the attention and growth of babies aged 12 to 24 months, helping us understand how different voices can support their learning and feelings.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $246,510 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD105920-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are infants aged 12 to 24 months who are in regular contact with caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12 to 24 months or those without regular caregiver interactions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the sounds made by caregivers influence the attention and development of infants aged 12 to 24 months. By analyzing the acoustic features of caregiver speech, the study aims to understand how these vocalizations impact infants' autonomic activity and visual attention. Using advanced techniques like eye-tracking and heart rate monitoring, researchers will observe how infants respond to different vocal cues, which may help identify key factors that support their cognitive and emotional growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of how caregiver interactions promote healthy cognitive and emotional development in infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that caregiver interactions significantly influence infant development, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Borjon, Jeremy Isaac — University of Houston
- Study coordinator: Borjon, Jeremy Isaac
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.